Scottish Land & Estates, which represents 2,500 landowners in Scotland, today welcomed the creation of an Environmental Task Force by the Scottish Government.

Doug McAdam, Chief Executive, who attended today’s launch, said: “Landowners across Scotland support the Cabinet Secretary in his view that robust action needs to be taken against those who seek to profit at the expense of Scotland’s natural resources or show wanton disregard for the countryside. One the major problems faced in rural areas is the increase in fly-tipping which has reached totally unacceptable levels and when I raised this at the launch the Cabinet Secretary said this was just the sort of thing he wanted the new Task Force to address. Also, the theft of equipment from rural businesses is also causing great concern and initiatives to combat this are warmly welcomed.

“Scotland boasts truly magnificent countryside and landscapes and there is a huge effort put in to manage and nurture these tremendous national assets. Those who attempt to damage them should face the full force of the law.”